BCA-USA Southern Texas

THRIVING AND EXCITED TO HOST THE 2023 CONVENTION By Ni Francis Fokwang

President Southern Texas

BCA Southern Texas Chapter has grown in the past year reaching a total of 141 members including 34 children. This total also includes 5 new members who joined us in 2022. We have a total of 86 members who are ŋkab ŋtɔd participants.

During our gathering in November 2021, a new executive was elected to continue fostering the goals of BCA Southern Texas. Members of the executive are: • President: Ni Francis

Fokwang • Vice President: Ma Vera

Awah Mwaka • Secretary: Ma Yeluma

Fonchamyo • Treasurer: Ma Nina Selia • Financial Secretary: Ma

Mercy Awah Ngang • Publicity Secretary: Ma

Linda Titamongu • Chief Whip: Ni Eugene

Ngang

Solidarity & Support

BCA Southern Texas was not exempted from the claws of Covid-19. The pandemic greatly affected our ability to hold any in-person gatherings until November 2021 when more people got vaccinated and some

Ni Francis Fokwang

restrictions were lifted. Before the omicron variant hit and forced us to resume virtual monthly meetings, we had conducted our chapter elections in November

BCA-USA Southern Texas Executive

and held an end of year party in December 2021. During the party, our new executives were officially installed. Though some members reported sick, thankfully, no deaths were recorded. However, Southern Texas has had its share of bereavements. These have been very challenging times for our Southern Texas family. Nevertheless, the support, prayers and solidarity exercised by members to the grieving families are overwhelming and I commend them for it and feel proud to be part of this chapter.

In the midst of desolation, we’ve also had our jubilations. In June 2021, the Southern Texas family was blessed with many new babies.

We look to returning to in-person meetings after the convention. Our meetings are held on the third Saturday of every month so I invite all BCA-USA members and friends of BCA who happen to be in Houston on such a day to join us and celebrate our culture and diversity.

I’ll like to congratulate Virginie Jaelle Tchalla Ava for raising and keeping the flagship of our youth high. Jaelle is part of the Class of 2022 and, heading to college in the fall. She also applied in the scholarship program sponsored by the BCA Education committee

On behalf of the Southern Texas Family, I’ll like to congratulate and thank Washington DC for hosting us. We appreciate your hospitality and applaud all those who have worked tirelessly from your chapter, NEC and in all Committees to make this Convention a success.

Future plans

One of our goals is to acquire drums, rattle (nchǎʼchàʼ) and other musical instruments to equip our music and dance group.

We are excited to host the Convention 2023 and promise you the finest of Bali and Southern hospitality! We are planning lots of exciting things for you so start making plans for BCA Houston Edition.

May God bless BCA Southern Texas and May God bless BCA-USA.